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Governor Pat McCrory Calls First Press Conference

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 4:31pm — Kelly McCullen

The 2013 North Carolina political season was off and rolling with Governor Pat McCrory's first press conference. He named Tony Almeida as his Senior Advisor for Jobs and the Economy. Former state representative Fred Steen, who left office to run for U.S. House in 2012, was named as Governor McCrory's legislative liaison. The governor also issued his first executive order, reclaiming the power to make judicial appointments rather than a judicial nominating commission that operated under former Governor Bev Perdue. McCrory said it didn't work and the state constitution gives the governor appointment powers.

The governor also announced that Chris Estes will oversee reforms information technology (IT) systems of agencies throughout state government. McCrory says many new computer systems do not work and will not work when launched, creating the need for a priority response. He notes that food stamp and Medicaid programs could be hurt by dysfunctional computer systems.